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HONG KONG CAPITALISM: You have two cows. You sell three of them to your publicly listed company, using letters of credit opened by your brother-in-law at the bank, then execute a debt/equity swap with associated general offer so that you get all four cows back, with a tax deduction for keeping five cows. The milk rights of six cows are transferred via a Panamanian intermediary to a Cayman Islands company secretly owned by the majority shareholder, who sells the rights to all seven cows' milk back to the listed company. The annual report says that the company owns eight cows, with an option on one more. Meanwhile, you kill the two cows because the Feng Shui is bad.-0+
In a Tokyo Hotel: Is forbitten to steal hotel towels please. If you
are not person to do such thing is please not to read notis.
In another Japanese hotel room: Please to bathe inside the tub.
In a Bucharest hotel lobby: The lift is being fixed for the next day.
During that time we regret that you will be unbearable.
In a Leipzig elevator: Do not enter the lift backwards, and only when
lit up.
In a Belgrade hotel elevator: To move the cabin, push button for
wishing floor. If the cabin should enter more persons, each one
should press a number of wishing floor. Driving is then going
alphabetically by national order.
In a Paris hotel elevator: Please leave your values at the front
In a hotel in Athens: Visitors are expected to complain at the office
between the hours of 9 and 11 A. M. daily.
In a Yugoslavian hotel: The flattening of underwear with pleasure is
the job of the chambermaid.
In a Japanese hotel: You are invited to take advantage of the
In the lobby of a Moscow hotel across from a Russian Orthodox
monastary: You are welcome to visit the cemetery where famous Russian
and Soviet composers, artists, and writers are buried daily except
In an Austrian hotel catering to skiers: Not to perambulate the
corridors in the hours of repose in the boots of ascension.
On the menu of a Swiss restaurant: Our wines leave you nothing to hope
On the menu of a Polish hotel: Salad a firm's own make; limpid red
beet soup with cheesy dumplings in the form of a finger; roasted duck
let loose; beef rashers beaten up in the country people's fashion.
In a Hong Kong supermarket: For your convenience, we recommend
courageous, efficient self-service.
Outside a Hong Kong tailor shop: Ladies may have a fit upstairs.
In a Bangkok dry cleaner's: Drop your trousers here for best results.
Outside a Paris dress shop: Dresses for street walking.
In a Rhodes tailor shop: Order your summers suit. Because is big rush
we will execute customers in strict rotation.
Similarly, from the Soviet Weekly: There will be a Moscow Exhibition
of Arts by 15, 000 Soviet Republic painters and sculptors. These were
executed over the past two years.
In an East African newspaper: A new swimming pool is rapidly taking
shape since the contractors have thrown in the bulk of their workers.
In a Vienna hotel: In case of fire, do your utmost to alarm the hotel
A sign posted in Germany's Black Forest: It is strictly forbidden on
our black forest camping site that people of different sex, for
instance, men and women, live together in one tent unless they are
married with each other for that purpose.
In a Zurich hotel: Because of the impropriety of entertaining guests
of the opposite sex in the bedroom, it is suggested that the lobby be
used for this purpose.
In an advertisement by a Hong Kong dentist: Teeth extrcted by the
latest Methodists.
A translated sentence from a Russian chess book: A lot of water has
been passed under the bridge since this variation has been played.
In a Rome laundry: Ladies, leave your clothes here and spend the
afternoon having a good time.
In a Czechoslovakian tourist agency: Take one of our horse-driven city
tours - we guarantee no miscarriages.
Advertisement for donkey rides in Thailand: Would you like to ride on
your own ass?
On the faucet in a Finnish washroom: To stop the drip, turn cock to
In the window of a Swedish furrier: Fur coats made for ladies from
their own skin.
On the box of a clockwork toy made in Hong Kong: Guaranteed to work
throughout its useful life.
Detour sign in Kyushi, Japan: Stop: Drive Sideways.
In a Swiss mountain inn: Special today - no ice cream.
In a Bangkok temple: It is forbidden to enter a woman even a foreigner
if dressed as a man.
In a Tokyo bar: Special cocktails for the ladies with nuts.
In a Copenhagen airline ticket office: We take your bags and send them
in all directions.
On the door of a Moscow hotel room: If this is your first visit to the
USSR, you are welcome to it.
In a Norwegian cocktail lounge: Ladies are requested not to have
children in the bar.
At a Budapest zoo: Please do not feed the animals. If you have any
suitable food, give it to the guard on duty.
In the office of a Roman doctor: Specialist in women and other
In an Acapulco hotel: The manager has personally passed all the water
served here.
In a Tokyo shop: Our nylons cost more than common, but you'll find
they are best in the long run.
From a Japanese information booklet about using a hotel air
conditioner: Cooles and Heates: If you want just condition of warm in
your room, please control yourself.
From a brochure of a car rental firm in Tokyo: When passenger of foot
heave in sight, tootle the horn. Trumpet him melodiously at first,
but if he still obstacles your passage then tootle him with vigor.
Two signs from a Majorcan shop entrance:
- English well talking.
- Here speeching American.
Knock Knock
Who's there!
Athens who?
Athens I love you!
The lift is being fixed for the next day. During that time we regret that you
will be unbearable.
Real Subtitles from Hong Kong Movies
1. I am damn unsatisfied to be killed in this way.
2. You with your thick face have hurt my instep.
3. Gun wounds again?
4. Same old rules: no eyes, no groin.
5. A normal person wouldn't steal pituitaries.
6. Damn, I'll burn you into a BBQ chicken!
7. Take my advice, or I'll spank you without pants.
8. Who gave you the nerve to get killed here?
9. Quiet or I'll blow your throat up.
10. You always use violence. I should've ordered glutinous rice chicken.
11. I'll fire aimlessly if you don't come out!
12. You daring lousy guy.
13. Beat him out of recognizable shape!
14. I have been scared sh*tless too much lately.
15. I got knife scars more than the number of your leg's hair!
16. Beware! Your bones are going to be disconnected.
17. The bullets inside are very hot. Why do I feel so cold?
18. How can you use my intestines as a gift?
19. This will be of fine service for you, you bag of the scum. I am
sure you will not mind that I remove your manhoods and leave them
out on the dessert flour for your aunts to eat.
20. Yah-hah, evil spider woman! I have captured you by the short
rabbits and can now deliver you violently to your gynecologist for a
thorough extermination.
21. Greetings, large black person. Let us not forget to form a team up
together and go into the country to inflict the pain of our karate


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English Tea Shop
For a company that is dedicated to caring about tea, from the people who pick the plants to the people who blend the tea and especially the people who drink the tea, you can't go past English Tea Shop. They ensure that their teas are produced sustainably, fair trade and organic. They have a tea flavour to suit every palate, from soothing to fruity and all in between. If you're serious about good tea, it's time to try English Tea Shop.

subset: commoncrawl


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Here it is the end of the school year, and everyone is already talking about planning! Planning? Now? What about that great summer vacation that teachers get? Don't they just sit home watching Oprah all day long? Well, Oprah is gone, so we might as well plan!
And actually, for those who may read this blog that are not teachers or are new to our profession, let me preach just a bit about that teacher summer break... it doesn't exist. Summer is simply the time we have to plan, plan, and plan some more. That whole planning period is a falacy, and we must use our summers to prepare for the little ones that will walk into our classrooms in just a blink of the eye.
Summer is the chance we have to work without interruption. It's the opportunity we have to sit in a comfortable chair, research and relate our standards and objectives, and create. Now, some may not be as creative or imaginative as others, so there are options for them, too (TeachersPayTeachers), but most of us will begin the process of gathering and preparing materials for our upcoming school year.
This can be an overwhelming task. You look at the new standards and see a glob of words on the pages that seems impossible to control and contain into tangible lesson plans. But, it's not that hard. Don't let it overwhelm you!
Start with a plan for the plan!
1. Create a curriculum map for the school year. This can be a simple outline of topics with dates, or it could include your standards, objectives, and core content. I always count the days in the school year, determine the number or days each topic or unit will demand, and work my way through the scheduling process.
2. Develop unit plans that outline your unit objectives, essential questions, and daily plans. This is your working plan that can guide you through the unit and through the content. If they are planned out well, with appropriate timing, your unit tests will follow for assessment.
3. Evaluate your needs for each unit. Determine what materials or resources will be needed for the unit. Gather the items and organize the materials for daily use. Research your content to develop any needed curriculum guides or to develop the instructional materials. Prepare powerpoints or prezis for direct instruction and develop creative activities to engage your students. Or shop on TpT!
4. Before each unit begins, prepare all of your materials, make your copies, and organize your resources and handouts into daily sets.
Take a look at the FREE templates for the curriculum map and unit lesson plan template at my TpT store. And then, just do it! Before you know it, your units will be planned and your students will be entering the door of your well planned and well organized classroom! It will make all of the difference in your teaching year.
Oh, and be sure to hit the pool a few times before the "summer break" is over! Without some structured rest to go with your well-developed plans, you may not enjoy your new classes as much as deserved!
curriculum calendar curriculum map lesson plan new teachers teaching unit plan
Planning, Planning, Planning
1 Comments


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By law, if you are refused a place at your preferred school, you have the right to appeal against that decision to an independent panel.
School admission appeal panels are independent of the school and the local authority.
It is not always possible to allocate a place at a parent or carer's preferred school(s). This may be due to the school(s) being oversubscribed or, in the case of a selective grammar school, because your child did not achieve the standard required in the selection tests. An admissions appeal allows you to present your reasons for preferring that particular school to an independent panel who will decide whether your reasons are strong enough to overturn the admission authority's decision. For community and voluntary controlled schools the admission authority is the local authority and in the case of an academy, voluntary aided, foundation or trust school it is the governing body.
If you submit an appeal, you will be informed, by the clerk to the appeals panel, when and where your appeal will be heard. At least seven days in advance of the hearing you will be sent a written summary of the case for refusing your child a place at the school. Your appeal hearing will be held in private and it is recommended you attend your hearing in person if at all possible.
At the hearing there will be three panel members who make the decision, a clerk who will record the proceedings and advise on matters of law and procedure, a representative from the admission authority and you as the appellant. The officer from the admission authority will state the case for not meeting your preference and you will be given the opportunity to explain the reasons why you wish your child to attend that particular school. In the first instance the panel will determine whether the admission authority has proved why it cannot admit more children and if so, will go on to consider all the points you have made. The panel's decision is based around balancing the needs of the child against the effect of admitting another child into the school. All admission appeals panels act independently and their decisions are binding on all parties. There is no further right of appeal for a place in the same academic year group unless there is a significant change in your circumstances.
The Local Government Ombudsman can investigate complaints of maladministration. Further details about this will be provided if your appeal is not upheld.
Infant class size 30 (CS30)
If you are appealing for a place in a reception class, you have a more limited right of appeal because the law states infant class sizes must be restricted to 30 children. In such cases the panel may only uphold your appeal if the admission rules were not administered correctly and your child should have been offered a place, or the decision to refuse a place was not one which a reasonable admission authority would make under the circumstances.
Special educational needs
Please note there is a different appeals process for children with an education, health and care plan (formerly a final statement of special educational needs (SEN)). Please contact the SEN team on 01609 535002 for details.
ACE education advice
Parents may also wish to contact ACE Ltd which is an independent national advice centre. ACE Ltd can provide advice and information on admission appeals through a national advice line and a wide range of publications. More information can be found at www.ace-ed.org.uk.
Community and voluntary controlled school appeals
To appeal for a place at a community or voluntary controlled school you should complete this form (doc / 41 KB) and use these guidance notes to help you (pdf / 22 KB).
Academies and trust school appeals
To appeal for a place at an academy or trust school you should contact us first on 01609 533679. You can use these guidance notes to help you (pdf / 374 KB).
Selective grammar school appeals
If you are appealing for a selective grammar school place please read these guidance notes (pdf / 144 KB).
Voluntary aided and foundation school appeals
To appeal for a place at a voluntary aided or foundation school you should contact the clerk to the governing body at that school to request the relevant appeals forms. Their contact details are in the school's prospectus. They are responsible for all the arrangements and for contacting you about the appeal.
Information about the appeals panel
The independent panel is made up of three people; one person with no specialist education experience, and at least one "independent" person who has experience in education or who is a parent of a registered pupil at a school.
The clerk to the panel will write to you to tell you the decision, and all involved are bound by that decision.
The appeals panel will not consider another appeal for the same school in the same academic year unless there has been a significant and relevant change in your circumstances.
If your appeal is successful and the school is not your normal or nearest school then you will be responsible for transporting your child to school.
Supporting documents for appeals
To support the appeals process, we have created notes for parents who wish to appeal a decision by the admissions authority (pdf / 374 KB) as well as a list of frequently asked questions (pdf / 28 KB) and information on primary class sizes (pdf / 87 KB).
In addition, you can view information about group hearings for admission appeals (pdf / 19 KB).
You can request any of our appeals information in an alternative format (pdf / 581 KB).


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To dismiss the impact the know Bookstore has had on this community would be a travesty that business grew from just a bookstore to an institution.Some of the most accomplished historians in the world have lectured in that building,and I am not exagerating. From Dillard street to Fayetville street the Know has atracted intellectuals from all persuasions. If the goal is to improve the cultual awareness and the arts in this area of Durham the Know Bookstore should definately be in the equation. Myself personally have benifited greatly from the know, as a young college student in the 70's, there was no place in Durham that I could go t0o find sources that could doucument the greatness of the African contribution to world civilization. So many students of that era loved the Know. So take it from someone who have seen the rise in cultural and historicol awareness in that community, this awakening can be attributed largely to the Know insttution. I encourage all parties involved to redirect their efforts ,and concentrate on the very thing that been working for so long. Do not let history repeat itself again in terms of Aficans not being able to collectively own our own institutions. Save the Know!Thanks, Alex Gaddy
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Your trusted source for trading cards and supplies since 1990
|FREE Gift Coupon Codes
are posted to our Facebook wall and Twitter stream.
Gaming > Legend of the Five Rings CCG > L5R: War of Honor Box
Legend of the Five Rings [L5R] CCG: War of Honor
This item is not currently available.
War of Honor is a Legend of the Five Rings CCG-based game of strategies and tactics for 2 to 4 players. The game brings a whole new dimension and dynamic to multiplayer L5R and is suitable for play with cards from the existing arc or older card collections. Players form and dissolve alliances, engage in political maneuverings, and wage mighty battles to determine which clan will triumph. War of Honor includes 4 Clan decks (Dragon, Lion, Phoenix, and Scorpion), a scoring board, markers, and movable tiles that give a different game play experience every time. Tiles for each of the other five Great Clans are included, making War of Honor fully expandable with your existing L5R card collection. The game can be played with more than 4 players if customized using L5R cards from your collection.
|Free shipping for US orders of $195 or more.
$9.50 flat rate shipping for orders less than $195.
(lower 48 US states only)
Outside of the US?
Our shopping cart will automatically calculate shipping options for you.


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Independence Hall
The clock tower on Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, stands the test of time on a background of weathered parchment.
© Wayne V. Hall. All rights reserved.
Beacon of Beauty
The lighthouse on White Island among the Isle of Shoals stands vigil just a few miles off the shore from Portsmouth, New Hampshire, is portrayed here to look like a fine painting on canvas.
© Wayne V. Hall. All rights reserved.
Monochromatic Monarch
A Monarch Butterfly feeds on a litteral buffet of polen as it floats from flower to flower on an early spring day, this digital rendering accentuates the butterfly's lovely markings.
© Wayne V. Hall. All rights reserved.
Independence HallindependencehallPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaparchmentfreedomclocktowerWayneWayne HallWayne V. HallWALL PhotographyWALL Photography DesignWALL Photography and DesignWALL Photo GrafxWALLPhotoGrafx


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We love an Irish Donegal tweed, there's something really sophisticated about them!
Made from 100% wool tweed, this is a traditional herringbone weave of cream and pale stone. Very simple and elegant! To add to the specialness of this collar, we've decided to line it in a lovely co-ordinating paisley print in cream and stone - we know the lining isn't really that visible, but sometimes it's just nice to know it's there rather than shout about it! The collar is finished with our custom robust silver coloured hardware and has an old gold webbing section.
The center picture shows the collar with a "stone" coloured velvet house collar and "Old gold" coloured webbing lead.
The Standard sized Martingale collar is available in 2 widths: 4cm (1 ½") or 5cm (2") deep and is adjustable from 28cm (11") up to 43cm (17"), with an additional 7cm (3") in the webbing section to allow for easy fitting. This collar is the ideal size for larger dog breeds (i.e. Larger Lurchers, Deerhound, greyhound, saluki).
The Small sized Martingale collar again is available in 2 widths: 4cm (1 ½") or 5cm (2") and adjusts from approx 22cm (9") up to 32cm (13") again with the additional 7cm (3") in the webbing section . This collar is the ideal size for smaller hounds (i.e. Whippets, and smaller Lurchers).


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Made by Suck UK, the Sun Jar allows for you to save electricity and brighten up your home by storing sunshine. It works through solar power, containing a solar cell, rechargeable battery and a low energy LED lamp. When you keep your jar in direct sunlight, the battery will be charged through the solar cell. At night time, you'll have light thanks to the LED lamp, now powered by your sun-charged battery! You can even leave your Sun Jar outside, thanks to the water tight jar.
For best results:
- Keep the Sun Jar in direct sunlight to charge
- Place in darkness to light up
- Set the switch to 'charge' to stop automatic illumination, and for efficient charging (the Sun Jar will charge in both 'charge' and 'auto' modes)
- The battery may run out after time, if it does, replace it with a AA rechargeable battery. You can find the battery under the solar panel.
Dimensions: 10cm x 10cm x 16cm


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Our Alumni
After the Classroom
Our graduates work for small startup companies, non-profit organizations, large retail companies, suppliers and distributors, and some of the largest accounting firms in the world. In addition, many of our graduates have gone back to school for master's degrees in business and other areas of study.
Steven Madsen, 2011
Graduate student at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
"I am incredibly thankful for the time I spent at JBU as a business student. Not only did my degree lead to a management position, it prepared me for the responsibilities of life. My involvement with SIFE (Enactus), combined with my degree in business, immediately led to a management position with Finish Line shoes in Dallas, Texas. The experience I gained at JBU allowed me to jump into a position that normally required one and a half years of experience. Despite this great opportunity, I felt the Lord leading me back to school to pursue a Master of Divinity. As I enter into vocational ministry I will be using the business knowledge I gained at JBU to plant churches and form teams. My degree has proven to be useful within a corporate setting as well as many other contexts."


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Requirements for Orange County Residents Applying for a Pistol Permit
Please read this entire page carefully
Effective 1/1/2015
The only course certificate that Orange County is guaranteed
to accept is the 3 Hour Course developed by the Sheriff's Office.
It must be taught by an instructor certified by the Orange County Sheriff.
If you are applying for your New York State Permit from another county,
YOU must check with the licensing authority in your county to confirm that this course certificate will be accepted.
New York State law prohibits anyone without a permit from handling a pistol. Therefore this course does NOT include a shooting component.
If your county will not accept this certificate or if you are applying for a non-resident permit from another state that requires a shooting component, we will be offering the NRA Basic Pistol Course at a later date.
You may only take that course only after receiving your New York State permit.
Orange County Handgun Safety Course, This is NOT an NRA Accredited Course
Conducted by:
James Meineker,
Orange County Sheriff's Office Certified Instructor
N.R.A. Certified Instructor in the following disciplines: Home Firearm Safety, Range Safety Officer, Basic Pistol, Basic Rifle, Basic Shotgun,
Personal Protection Inside the Home, Personal Protection Outside the Home, Advanced Defensive Pistol, Metallic Cartridge Reloading and Refuse to be a Victim.
Assisted by:
Ray Roccisano,
N.R.A. Certified Instructor in the following disciplines: Home Firearm Safety, Basic Pistol.
To be Held:
2018 Dates to be announced soon.
Instruction starts at 9 A.M. Please arrive at least 15 minutes early to sign in.
Location: Walden Sportsmen's Club, 1823 Route 52, Walden, NY
Directions to the Club: Click Here.
The class normally is approximately 3 hours including a break plus time for questions. We should be finished with the Orange County requisite course about noon.
$40 check or money order
Do not mail cash. The fee covers course material and refreshments. Preference will be given to the members and families of Walden Sportsmen's Club. Class size is limited to 32 maximum. Do not hesitate as the class fills up quickly. To GUARANTEE a seat, you must send the appropriate fee to:
James Meineker
7 Oak Lane
Campbell Hall, NY 10916
First come, first served.
Please make the check payable to James Meineker.
NOTE: Since materials must be ordered and paid for ahead of time, there will be NO REFUNDS.
IMPORTANT!!! When you mail the fee, please give your full name, age, county, phone number, AND email address.
I will use your email address to confirm your reservation and that I have received your check. Please make sure your email program is set to accept mail from me. If you do not show up, you forfeit your fee as I must order materials early and can only accept a limited number of students. A cancellation means you prevented someone else from getting into the class.
The Course:
This is the Orange County Handgun Safety Course. This is the only course and certificate guaranteed to be accepted by Orange County Sheriff's Department. It is intended for the novice and due to New York state law, students may not handle or fire handguns unless they already possess a license. Topics include safe handling, carrying and storage, nomenclature, action types, ammunition, article 35 information regarding use of deadly force and cleaning.
To provide beginning shooters with an introduction to the knowledge, skills, and attitude necessary to own and use handguns safely. It is highly advisable to have your spouse or another family member also take the class and get their license.
Upon successful completion of the course, each student will be issued an Orange County official certificate which may be used as proof of training in applying for a pistol permit in Orange County. If you live in another county, PLEASE CHECK WITH THAT COUNTY'S PISTOL PERMIT OFFICER to see if the course will be accepted or is necessary. See below regarding the need to take the NRA course and receive an NRA certificate along with the Orange County certificate.
Related Topics:
Beyond basic handgun safety, certain related topics will be briefly covered, including: what a permit is, the application process, your rights and responsibilities, selecting a suitable handgun, handgun terminology, traveling with a handgun, use of deadly force.
What to Bring:
Pen or pencil, notepad or notebook and driver's license.
If you intend to apply for a non-resident license in another state, check to see what courses they will accept. Many accept an NRA course from anywhere but this course is NOT an NRA course and may not be accepted. We strongly advise taking the NRA course. New York State law does not allow anyone without a permit to handle a handgun. If you plan on applying for a non-resident permit from a state that will not accept this course as fulfilling the requirement for their process, we also offer the NRA Basic Pistol Course which should be accepted. Students may take this course ONLY after successfully acquiring their NYS permit. Dates will be announced as the need arises. The fee for that course is $60.
Since the instructor is not a lawyer, all legal information is offered for general information only and the student should verify the correctness of the information with his own attorney before acting on it. It should be remembered that laws are constantly changing and subject to interpretation by law enforcement and legal authorities. Therefore, the instructors assume no liability for any information given.
Once you have your pistol permit, training is imperative. Advanced NRA courses are available upon request.
Questions?: E-mail me firstname.lastname@example.com


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In the musical Annie, the cute little orphan lands in Daddy Warbucks' mansion and sings a song celebrating how much her life has changed for the better. I feel a little bit like that kid today. I am back at school of all places as I say this, and I am watching a room full of high school juniors taking a practice ACT test, but I also have time while my eyes are on them to do a little blogging.
In my last post, I shared a little about our "new adventure" into owning a second home in a place where we one day hope to retire. This weekend, we "bunked out" and scooted up North to escape the heat of Saint Louis. As it turns out, Michigan was experiencing its own "extended summer with temps in the upper 80s pushing toward 90. (still cooler than in the Lou!) Friday was a half day of school for us, and on Thursday night Ed said, "Let's go North tomorrow!" With nothing holding us back and a light day coming up on Monday (another half day) I said, "Okay!"
So we grabbed the dogs and by 12:30 we were in the Subaru headed northward. We arrived by 8pm to find our grandkids in the driveway waiting for us. Well, they didn't really know it was going to be us, their dad kept them in the dark about what he was up to as they went for an evening bike ride, timed to coincide with our arrival. The result was a delight- their faces lit up as they saw us pull in and they yelled, "What are you doing here?!" (to which we answered - "We live here-it's our house!")
What followed was a weekend that went fast and was TONS of fun. The greyhounds were, at first, not quite sure about what to make of this new place, but as you can see they quickly "got adjusted" and found spots to chill out!


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Schneider Electric software for pre-design of an electrical installation systems.
Offset 2D entities with different distances at once.
Polyhedral Mesh to Solid is for that difficult Mesh, which won't convert to 3D Solids because of self-intersecting faces etc. It also locates the Center of Mass for a single or a group of objects.
Convert 2D Autodesk® AutoCAD® drawing to 3D in Autodesk® Revit®.
Draw 19" or 10" rack furniture, create drawings with patch panels, and place the panels into the rack furniture in a few clicks!
Create a viewport from model space to paper space.
Write assignment line with draft line
Write assignment line with draft line.
Create a dividing frame for drawing layout.
TotalBoundary easily generates outlines of complex drawings.
Drafting drainage systems dynamically and professionally.
Steel3D-MAISC creates a structural steel shape from MAISC database as a 3D solid and can be placed as a column or beams by selecting multiple lines in 3D model space.
Structural Steel Shapes created as a 3D solid can be placed as a column or beams by selecting multiple lines in 3D model space. Shapes are created from the DIN Steel Database.
Animation GIF Maker is a utility that makes it easy to animated-gif on the Autodesk® AutoCAD® working screen.
Powerful spreadsheet app to batch edit attributes of blocks across multiple drawings.
One-click insertion of a block labeling absolute and relative elevation. The values in a label automatically update when the block is moved.
This plugin helps managing groups of level indicators, often used in architecture and building design
One-click insertion of labels with name, number, area and perimeter of rooms. Values in a label are associated with the drawing and are automatically updated. Automatic insertion of Room Schedules.
The Express Document Tab program is a utility program that makes it easy to switch between DWG drawings in Autodesk® AutoCAD®.
This plugin allows the user to work with Autodesk® AutoCAD® files on Egnyte server (https://www.egnyte.com/) from AutoCAD. Access files, update them and create new files all from AutoCAD environment.
STRATUS is virtual design and construction software.
Secure Remote 3D App Streaming Solution (on-premise or cloud), optimized for NVIDIA Quadro®. Remote access 3D workstations from any device (mobile + PC/MAC/Chrome).
A collection of automation tools and an extensive block library which simplifies the creation of drawings that conform to the PWGSC National CADD Data Standard.


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Monthly Archives: July 2015
Upcoming Magic the Gathering Special Events! (July/Aug/Sept/Oct)
7-11-15 Magic Origins Prerelease Day 1
7-12-15 Magic Origins Prerelease Day 2
7-17-15 Magic Origins Release Draft
7-19-15 Preliminary Pro Tour Qualifier (Magic Origins Sealed Format)
8-8-15 Magic Origins Game Day 1 (Standard)
8-9-15 Magic Origins Game Day 2 (Standard)
9-26-15 Battle for Zendikar Prerelease Day 1
9-27-15 Battle for Zendikar Prerelease Day 2
10-2-15 Battle for Zendikar Release Draft
Keep up with all of our upcoming special events! Visit our special events page regularly so you don't miss out!
Upcoming Heroclix Special Events! (July-September)
7-18-15 Heroclix Ant-man Micro Tournament Draft
7-25-15 Heroclix Age of Ultron Month 2
8-8-15 Heroclix Battle Royale Celebration
8-15-15 Heroclix Age of Ultron Month 3
9-5-15 Heroclix Age of Ultron Month 4 Finale!
Check www.ncgamersguild.com/special-events periodically for all of the details!


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NCAA closes 'subtweeting' loophole by banning use of nicknames
The NCAA closed a loophole that allowed coaches to tweet about recruits without actually using names. On Wednesday, "subtweeting" was ruled not permissible, according to the Texas A&M compliance office.
Subtweeting is the act of tweeting to or about someone without actually using their name. Because NCAA rules do not permit coaches to publicly talk or tweet about a player until they have signed, some coaches have used player nicknames instead.
One example provided by 24/7 Sports was a tweet from Texas linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary that referenced four-star linebacker Jeffrey "The Shark" McCulloch, who eventually signed with the Longhorns.
A meal fit for a Shark!!! pic.twitter.com/59ppHxicaN
— Brian Luc Jean-Mary (@luc_brian) January 22, 2016
The NCAA's ruling states that using the nickname of an unsigned player in a public statement is now considered to be a recruiting violation.


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Learn 'Steak 101' At The Arthur J
May 17, 2017 08:52PM ● Published by Jeanne Fratello
The class will be held at 11:00 a.m. at The Arthur J on May 20. The class Includes a welcome cocktail, a Steak 101 lesson, steak tasting, and take-home tip sheets.
Information covered will include steak cuts, grades, and all of the juicy details that go into selecting the very best beef for your celebration. The tutorial will be followed by a tasting of a number of the Arthur J's most popular cuts, as well as a discussion of Certified Angus Beef, Prime Beef, Dry-Aged vs. Wet-Aged and more.
The class fee is $125 per guest. To reserve your spot, call Call The Arthur J at (310) 878-9620


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Surviving the Trenches as a Hollywood Assistant
We all know what it's like to have a boss. Some are better than others. And while most of us have experienced our fair share of horror stories, nothing beats Lydia Whitlock's experience as an assistant in Hollywood. She's seen and experienced it all: from being on call 24/7 (including holidays), to driving across town in rush hour for that special sushi roll, to managing her boss's online dating profile.
Now we can laugh, sympathize, and cringe along with Whitlock as she chronicles her experiences in her new book, To My Assistant. Based on her popular blog, the advice in the book comes from her real-life experience as an overworked, underpaid, under-appreciated Hollywood assistant. Rather than presenting a bleak, depressing view of life as an assistant, she gives assistants a dose of humor and practical advice to navigate the roadblocks assistants face from day to day. This survival guide will strike a chord with anyone who's ever been at the bottom of the corporate totem pole.
Fun, compulsively readable and laugh-out-loud funny, the book combines Whitlock's imaginary promises to her own future assistant, a glossary of terms and helpful charts to navigate the murky waters of the boss/assistant relationship. Broken down by category, Whitlock's vows include:
Technology (social networking): I will not call you into my office in a serious tone of voice, tell you to close the door, and then ask, in a whisper, "How do I untag myself from this Facebook picture?"
Sabotage (of a chair): I will not make you start an office-wide witch hunt because I am absolutely certain that someone maliciously lowered my chair by half an inch while I was at lunch.
Surprises (unpleasant, but not your fault): I will not scream at you when you send out my holiday cards, which feature a picture of my entire family smiling disingenuously at the camera, in exactly the punctual manner I told you to, which turns out to be exactly 24 hours before my spouse ambushes me with divorce papers.
Whitlock's stories provide a sense of shared commiseration—she's here to let us know that we've all been there, and eventually, it does get better.
Read an excerpt of To My Assistant below. For more tales from the trenches, follow Whitlock on Twitter at @tomyassistant and like her on Facebook here. (Giveaway alert! Enter to win a copy of the book, a Starbucks gift card and post-it notes by sending your worst assistant story to firstname.lastname@example.com by Friday, 4/26. Get more details here.)
To My Assistant by Lydia Whitlock – Excerpt by Crown Publishing Group


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Deep Purple
Deep Purple-The Book of Taliesyn (Passport) 1968
1. "Listen,
Learn, Read On" (4:04)
2. "Wring that Neck (Hard Road)" -instrumental (5:13)
3. "Kentucky Woman" (4:44)
4. a: "Exposition"-instrumental
.. .b: "We Can Work it Out" (7:07)
5. "Shield" (6:06)
6. "Anthem" (6:31)
7. "River Deep, Mountain High" (10:12)
As much as I love Purple, their early albums never thrilled me. It's really trippy, hippy stuff as compared to the in-your-face rock that Purple did with Gillan starting in 1970. Still, I do occassionally dig hearing some of these old tunes. I was planning on picking up the Spitfire re-issue of this disc since it contains several bonus tracks and is supposedly remastered. I found this copy for $1 and decided it would do until the time I get the re-issue. $1, geez, what were they thinking? "Book of Taliesyn" contains three covers, the best of which is, of course, Neil Diamond's "Kentucky Woman." Tina Turner's "River Deep, Mountain High" sounds nothing like the original, which is cool. "We Can Work It Out" is a Beatles cover that I could have lived without.
Deep Purple-The Gemini Suite (Purple Pyramid) 1998
1. "First Movement:
Guitar Voice" (17:22)
2. "Second Movement: Organ Bass" (10:18)
3. "Third Movement: Drums Finale" (16:50)
John Lord's 'Gemini Suite' recorded live at the Royal Festival Hall in September of 1970. This cd version of the classic concert is a very nice collector's disc, complete with limited edition gold cd, poster, full color insert with extensive liner notes and photos all wrapped up with a nice slipcase. As for the music, well it certainly isn't the normal Deep Purple experience, nor was it ever intended to be. According to the liner notes and quotes from John Lord, this was suppose to be an experimental project and nothing else. Apparently while working on "In Rock" the band was at the same time practicing for this concert. Each of the three movements were designed with a particular instrument in mind, as is apparent by the titles. Each is fantasitic, with my favorite movement being the final drum piece. Excellent! Must also mention that this was one of the earliest recording with 'new' vocalist Ian Gillan. I found this cd for a mere $4.99. Can't beat that.
Deep Purple-In Rock (Warner Bros.) 1970
1."Speed King"
2."Bloodsucker" (4:12)
3."Child in Time" (10:15)
4."Flight of the Rat" (7:52)
5."Into the Fire" (3:29)
6."Living Wreck" (4:30)
7."Hard Lovin' Man" (7:10)
The first album with Ian Gillan, which defined the band's sound for years to come. Excellent! One of their best albums ever. Actually much of their material before this disc, was more obscure and a bit more psychadelic.
Deep Purple-Fireball (Warner Bros.) 1971
1. "Fireball"
2. "No No No" (6:54)
3. "Demon's Eye" (5:21)
4. "Anyone's Daughter" (4:43)
5. "The Mule" (5:22)
6. "Fools" (8:20)
7. "No One Came" (6:26)
8. "Strange Kind of Woman" (a-side remix) (4:06)
9. "I'm Alone" (b-side) (3:08)
10. "Freedom" (album out-take) (3:35)
11. "Slow Train" (album out-take) (5:36)
12. "Demon's Eye" (remix) (6:20)
13. The Noise Abatement Society Tapes" -instrumental (4:16)
14. "Fireball" -instrumental (Take 1) (4:08)
15. "Backward Piano" -instrumental (:55)
16. "No One Came" (remix) (6:23)
After releasing a groundbreaking album like 'In Rock,' you'd think that Deep Purple would have went for the same formula and release a mirror-image album, but this just was not the case. "Fireball" is a landmark, creative album mixing elements of blues, psychadelia, heavy metal and, uh, down-home hillbilly music. Always liked the humerous, hillbilly sounds of "Anyone's Daughter." Most of the music on here does rock hard though, with at least five tracks from the original release giving warning to what would come a year later. This awesome 25 year special edition cd contains tons of bonus material and a 28 page booklet with loads of photos and notes by Roger Glover. Excellent!
Deep Purple-Machine Head (Warner Bros.) 1972
1."Highway Star"
2."Maybe I'm a Leo" (4:51)
3."Pictures of Home" (5:03)
4."Never Before" (3:56)
5."Smoke on the Water" (5:40)
6."Lazy" (7:19)
7."Space Truckin'" (4:31)
This is one of THE GREATEST heavy metal albums ever recorded--pure and simple! Some even credit this album with starting the heavy metal revolution that swept through the 70's and 80's. Regardless, I have loved this album since I was a kid. Always liked the cover too. Excellent!
Metal Church did an excellent cover of "Highway Star"; Impelliteri also covered "Highway Star." Vengeance Rising pulled off a thrash metal version of "Space Truckin'" and Metalium covered "Smoke on the Water."
Deep Purple-Made in Japan-The Remastered Edition (Warner Bros.) 1973
1. "Highway Star" (6:42)
2. "Child in Time" (12:18)
3. "Smoke on the Water" (7:37)
4. "The Mule (drum solo)" (9:28)
5. "Strange Kind of Woman" (9:52)
6. "Lazy" (10:27)
7. "Space Truckin'" (19:53)
1. "Black Night" (6:17)
2. "Speed King" (7:25)
3. "Lucille" (8:03)
On the heels of one of the greatest studio albums of all time, comes one of the greatest live albums. I love live albums, especially by 70's bands, as they tended to extend the songs into long jams. This is especially true of Deep Purple. Also the live atmosphere tended to beef up the sound a bit. This double record set was originally re-released on cd as a single disc but was later remastered and reissued on a two disc version. Originally I had the single disc version which I held onto for years. I finally got the two disc version for only $2.50 through BMG. Can't beat that. This "25th Anniversary" remastered edition adds the bonus disc with 3 encore tracks.
Deep Purple-Burn (Warner Bros.) 1974
1."Burn" (6:00)
2."Might Just Take Your Life" (4:36)
3."Lay Down, Stay Down" (4:15)
4."Sail Away" (5:48)
5."You Fool No One" (4:47)
6."What's Goin' on Here" (4:55)
7."Mistreated" (7:25)
8.""A" 200"-instrumental (3:51)
Another fabulous album from a band that seemed to be disintegrating. David Coverdale (vocals) and Glenn Hughes (bass/vocals) joined the band at this point and the music became heavier and a bit bluesier. Many said it helped to revitalize the band. This could be true since there are many excellent songs here, including the title track, "Might Just Take Your Life", and the classic "Mistreated," which has been kept alive by Dio through the years. Despite the fact that the band had two vocalists, I have a hard time telling them apart. Both Glenn and David have similar tones and styles. "Mistreated" is the only song that David Coverdale sung by himself.
Deep Purple-The Originals Vol. 2.: Who Do We Think We Are/Stormbringer/Come Taste the Band
Who Do We Think We Are
1. "Woman from Tokyo" (5:50)
Stormbringer 1974
1. "Stormbringer" (4:03)
Come Taste the Band 1975
1. "Comin' Home" (3:52)
All three of these cds are part of a box set called "The Originals Vol. 2." All the CDs come with sleeves which are miniture replicas of the original vinyl packaging.
Who Do We Think We
"Who Do We Think We Are" is the follow-up to the ground breaking "Machine Head." I cannot even begin to imagine the pressure the band must have been under to follow-up such a stellar release. On top of this by 1973-74 both Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin were also breaking ground in what was then being labeled Heavy Metal. (Of course by today's standards, these albums are considered hard rock rather than heavy metal). I suppose that pressure caused this album to be a disappointment in the eyes of most, and this ended up being the last output of the classic Mach II line-up. The album did have a single in "Woman from Tokyo" but overall, this disc does not stand up to the last three. That is not to say the album 'sucks.' Far from that. It's just that when the standard is set so high, it's hard to hit that standard with every release. "Rat Blue Rat" is
another fine example. This song could have been included on 'Machine Head' and would have fit in perfectly. Perhaps what I am trying to say is that 'Who Do We Think We Are' is not a consistant all the way through as past albums were.
"Rat Bat Blue" has been covered by Helloween.
I never got into this album like I did most of the past Purple albums. 'Burn' was an excellent album, showing a band revitalized by it's new members. This album, followed in the progression of 'Burn' taking the bluesy feel even further, and getting away from the heavy metal sounds of 'Machine Head' and 'In Rock.' There are some fine moments on this platter, and both David Coverdale and Glenn Hughes do a fine job in the vocal department, so I'm not sure what it was that I initally didn't like about this disc years ago. 'Stormbringer' also features one of the coolest album covers that the band had done so far.
Come Taste the Band
Exit Ritchie Blackmore who went on to join Ronnie James Dio and Elf to record the first Rainbow album. Enter Tommy Bolin. Bolin proves he is every bit the guitarist that Blackmore was, although there is no replacing the charisma of the original. Cuts like "Dealer," "Lady Luck" and "You Keep On Moving" prove the band was far from down and out. Still, as with any of the post-Gillan discs, I don't think you can honestly put these discs on the same level as those.
Deep Purple-Perfect Strangers (Warner Bros.) 1984
1."Knocking at Your
Back Door" (7:04)
2."Under the Gun" (4:38)
3."Nobody's Home" (3:59)
4."Mean Streak" (4:21)
5."Perfect Strangers" (5:28)
6."A Gypsy's Kiss" (5:12)
7."Wasted Sunsets" (3:55)
8."Hungry Daze" (4:58)
9."Not Responsible" (4:47)
10."Son of Alerik"--instrumental (10:07)
In 1984 the classic "Mach II" lineup of Gillan, Blackmore, Lord, Glover & Paice reformed to record this album. "Perfect Strangers" has my vote for one of the greatest comeback albums of all time! Pure brilliance. A return to excellence.
Dream Theater covered "Perfect Strangers."
The House of Blue Light (Mercury) 1987
1."Bad Attitude"
2."The Unwritten Law" (4:54)
3."Call of the Wild" (4:48)
4."Mad Dog" (4:35)
5."Black & White" (4:39)
6."Hard Lovin' Woman" (3:24)
7."The Spanish Archer" (5:31)
8."Strangeways" (7:35)
9."Mitzi Dupree" (5:05)
10."Dead or Alive" (4:59)
The follow up to the spectacular "Perfect Strangers" is almost as good. The problem is not in the songs but in the overly clean 80's production. With a slightly heavier, dirtier production this album would have been just that much better. As it stands, however, this is still an enjoyable disc. Sounds slightly like 80's Rainbow with Gillan on vocals. Picked this one up used for $5.99.
Deep Purple-Slaves & Masters (RCA) 1990
1."King of Dreams"
2."The Cut Runs Deep" (5:42)
3."Fire in the Basement" (4:43)
4."Truth Hurts" (5:14)
5."Breakfast in Bed" (5:16)
6."Love Conquers All" (3:47)
7."Fortuneteller" (5:45)
8."Too Much is Not Enough" (4:19)
9."Wicked Ways" (6:35)
With vocals by Joe Lyn Turner, this album sound more like Rainbow than Deep Purple. Never really interested in this one because of this, but I found this copy ultra-cheap. It's not as bad as I throught it would be, but it's not up to par with most Ian Gillan-era discs.
Deep Purple-The Battle Rages On (Giant) 1993
1. "Battle Rages
On" (5:55)
2. "Lick It Up" (3:59)
3. "Anya" (6:31)
4. "Talk About Love" (4:07)
5. "Time to Kill" (5:48)
6. "Ramshackle Man" (5:33)
7. "Twist in the Tale" (4:16)
8. "Nasty Piece of Work" (4:35)
9. "Solitaire" (4:41)
10. "One Man's Meat" (4:38)
"The Battle Rages On..." is Deep Purple's fourth new studio album after getting back together (AGAIN?!?). This disc also marked the return of lead singer Ian Gillan, once again, who had ditched out in 1989. (as well as several other times before and after this disc) Unfortunately, this album was a bit of a mistep for Deep Purple with Ian Gillan mixed way back in the mix and the songs sounding more like pop rock than classic Purple. This may be why both Ian Gillan and Ritchie Blackmore left shortly after this one was released. Of course, they both eventually came back again, then left, oh wait, then they came back again.. (-:
Deep Purple-Purpendicular (Prominent) 1996
1. "Vavoom: Ted the
Mechanic" - 4:16
2. "Loosen My Strings" - 5:57
3. "Soon Forgotten" - 4:47
4. "Sometimes I Feel Like Screaming" - 7:29
5. "Cascades: I'm Not Your Lover" - 4:43
6. "Aviator" - 5:20
7. "Rosa's Cantina" - 5:10
8. "Castle Full of Rascals" - 5:11
9. "Touch Away" - 4:36
10. "Hey Cisco" - 5:53
11. "Somebody Stole My Guitar" - 4:09
12. "Purpendicular Waltz" - 4:45
This is a fabulous Deep Purple record. Apparently guitarist Steve Morse (ex-Dixie Dreggs/Kansas) sparked a bit of a fire under the band's butt. This album comes twenty-eight years after the band's inception and is the most creative Deep Purple record of the 90's, and possibly the 80's as well. OK, nothing will be able to surpass "Machine Head" but this one is pretty darn good. Check out the finger snapping, head busting "Hey Ciso," or the acoustic "The Aviator," or the guarantee-to-be-a classic "Sometimes I Feel Like Screaming." "Somebody Stole My Guitar" shows that the band still has a sense of humor. I gave this one a shot after reading a stellar review in a magazine. Otherwise I would never have touched a Purple album without Ritchie Blackmore. Held out for a used copy, found one a few months later for $5.99.
Deep Purple-Abandon (CMC International) 1998
1. "Any Fule Kno That"
2. "Almost Human" (4:49)
3. "Don't Make Me Happy" (4:45)
4. "Seventh Heaven" (5:29)
5. "Watching the Sky" (5:57)
6. "Fingers to the Bone" (4:53)
7. "Jack Ruby" (3:47)
8. "She Was" (4:17)
9. "Whatsername" (4:11)
10. "'69" (5:13)
11. "Evil Louie" (4:50)
I know I will probably be chastised for saying this, but I really think that Ritchie Blackmore leaving Deep Purple was the best thing to happen to the band in the 90's. This album is almost as enjoyable as "Purpendicular." "Abandon" is a slightly harder rocking album than its predecessor, however. Steve Morse is a fabulous guitarist and really adds a lot to the sound, sometimes giving the band a neo-progressive sound. The other thing that I must mention, to Purple's credit, is that they do not sit back and rely on their past hits to sell albums. There are no acoustic versions or re-recorded songs on this disc, although I probably would not have minded even if they had. Many bands from the 70's continue to tour but few are still writing quality new material. I'm not sure that this disc will win over to many new fans, but die-hards like myself, are loving the revitalized material. Oh, one other thing I must mention about this album, I paid a premium price for it through BMG to fulfill my one cd a year obligation to them. With shipping the disc cost me almost $20. OUCH! Oh well, I get a bunch of free ones for buying it. At least the disc will get plenty of spin time, so I will get my $20 worth.
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Due to pitch waterlogging the South Cheshire Masonic Golf Society reset their 50th Wheel Chair presentation evening to 6 July when they met at Eastham Golf Club. The Society has been running since 1976 initially under the name of the Ted Barker Memorial Golf Competition, every time members play a round of golf the proceeds go to purchase of an electric wheelchair for a disabled child. Over the past 41 years, fifty such chairs have been tailor made and presented. The Society had planned to present the 50th chair to 12 year Kean from Shropshire but at the last moment he was rushed into hospital to undergo emergency surgery on his legs, everyone wishes him well for a successful operation and rapid recovery.
The days golfing was enjoyed by 23 players who started their tournament with bacon sandwiches, later during the evening, they were joined by partners and friends for dinner. WBro's George Mann and Adrian Davies both Cheshire APGM's attended to give support, later WBro George Mann addressed the meeting to outline the scheme which has been sponsored by several organisations over the years and generated over £9 million nationally. The South Cheshire Masonic Golf Society are now independent where every penny is ploughed back to wheelchair purchase.
In August the Society will present their 51st special chair to Jack Woodfin at Northup Golf Club to mark the Tercentenary of Grand Lodge, hopefully, Kean will also be in attendance showing off the Societies 50th wheelchair. Unfortunately, there will always be disabled children but societies like this who contribute so generously to disabled children are our silent angles that make such a difference to a disabled child's life, long may the Society continue.
WBro. George Mann APGM presenting the 2017 South Cheshire Golf Society Trophy to Noel Martin
WBro Adrian Morgan presenting the all silver Ted Barker Memorial Cup to Noel Martin and Greg Narey. The cup is so valuable it has to be returned to the strong room after every presentation.
Society Captain Mike Gilder presenting another trophy to Noel Martin the SCMGS Individual Winner
Father and Son Mike and Stuart Gilder win a joint prize.
Some of the members and guests who supported the South Cheshire Masonic Golf Societies Dinner.


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MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- A Democratic political activist from Ohio has moved to Wisconsin to run against House Speaker Paul Ryan.
David Yankovich announced Tuesday that he would challenge the Republican Ryan next year. Ryan was born and raised in Janesville, which is in the southeast Wisconsin congressional district he's represented since 1998.
Yankovich calls himself "one of the original voices of the resistance against Paul Ryan and Donald Trump." His campaign website touts the fact that he recently moved to Kenosha, Wisconsin, and is not rich, famous or a politician.
Yankovich says he plans to spend the next year and a half meeting and learning from people in Wisconsin.
National Republican Congressional Committee spokesman Chris Martin calls Yankovich a "liberal carpetbagger who flaunts his own lack of qualifications to run for office."
Ryan won re-election in 2016 with 65 percent of the vote.
1908 Grand Avenue, Wausau, WI 54403
News Tips: email@example.com or 715-842-9293


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Why "Set It and Forget It" Never Works for Products
Let's say you're making a new toothbrush; it has glowing bristles to remind people when to brush their teeth. You might go through prototyping, testing with focus groups, launching the product, and marketing it. Then you cross your fingers and hope everyone buys it and tells their friends!
With a digital product, you also might go through prototyping and testing, but the difference is that when you launch and observe how people interact with it, you can continuously make changes. These changes will be influenced by how people interact with your product in market. The user responses will be influenced by what they want, need and expect. What they want, need and expect is influenced by the other things they interact with every day. With every beautifully designed experience that someone has, their expectations are elevated.
Let's take a look at Bloomberg.com in 1999 vs. today. The purpose has not changed; it is still a news resource. But it has evolved to meet the standards of today's consumer. The benefit and challenge of digital is that it can begin looking like one thing and then change into another — right in front of everyone's eyes. This means that you don't have to be right, right away. But it does mean that you have to listen, learn, and be willing to change.
Take YouTube for example. What began as a video dating site now serves 6 billion hours of content a month. The dating aspect of YouTube was not what people loved. But uploading silly videos? Now that was fun. Founders were able to learn this in market based on what people were and were not doing. Today, YouTube has over 1 billion users and is maintaining a value true to what they learned: "Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world."
Staying relevant takes work
Consumer expectations are constantly evolving and so must the digital products they use. Consider infinite scroll. It became the norm due to changes that social media platforms like Facebook and Pinterest implemented. These design changes were then adopted by other applications. As people interacted with these products day in and day out, their expectations about what was "normal" changed. Now, a required "click to read more" seems annoying.
We can also see this happening with voice-activated technology. Siri's always been kind of a bad listener — but she was a breakthrough. There was no other feature to compare her to on a daily basis. So she was pretty cool and impressed everyone. Now that Alexa is around, our irritation with Siri has grown. We expect that because Alexa can understand, Siri should be able to understand. When she doesn't, it's more irritating. New and better design and technology is always evolving, replacing the past.
Due to these changes in consumer expectations, it's important to continually grow your product in market. If you aren't working on your product, you are at risk of becoming outdated, irritating — and as a result — eventually obsolete. Even if consumers like what you have to offer and give great feedback out of the gate, you still have to work to keep growing your relevance. Could you imagine if Bloomberg.com had never updated their experience? Would you visit that site from 1999 today? Even if you made it to the site, you would likely question its credibility. Because obviously it's outdated.
Knowing is just the beginning
Knowing that you have to continually grow is only part of the battle. In fact, I would argue that knowing is, at best, a fraction of the battle. You're likely aware that you need to keep your digital product alive. To do that you need a team, time, and budget. It's nearly impossible to keep something alive and well without having the resources to do so.
So what can you do to turn your knowledge into power and use it to power your product?
- Show and tell the people in your organization that striving to be innovative is not simply an optional path, it is the ONLY way to stay alive in today's world. Use relevant examples to educate the higher ups inside your company whose support you need to nurture your digital product. Inspire them to support your cause by using examples that are relevant to their daily lives!
- Share data that supports the investment you are already making. Even if you are only allocated a small budget or a few people part-time, be sure to invest in making changes and track the impact of those changes. How does that new feature contribute to more leads or more time spent or more sales? Use evidence to build a case.
- Don't give up the good fight! Perseverance is required because change takes time. If you feel stuck in the past, know that you are not alone. Your organization probably has a long history of doing things one way and it may take time for people to understand your point of view. That's why #1 and #2 are critical.
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(This review was originally written for and posted at the Chicago Center for Literature and Photography's site. Again, I preordered this bad boy well before I knew I'd be writing about it for anyone other than myself and GR.)
Read: 11 to 19 October 2013
4 / 5 stars
In the long-running tradition of so-bad-it's-good entertainment, 2003's The Room is a fairly recent but impressively groan-worthy addition. Its low-budget approach to visual effects, a script held together by non sequiturs and the wealth of glaring continuity errors make it either instantly derided or ironically charming, depending on the viewer's stomach for shoddy craftsmanship and clueless defiance of cinematic etiquette.
For the enviably/unfortunately uninitiated, The Room is yet another take on the love-triangle template, offering up one more tale of a fellow whose quietly mundane existence will be predictably turned upside down by the barely concealed affair between his fiancée and best friend, the latter played by Greg Sestero, who also served as the flick's line producer. What sets The Room apart is its enthusiastic departure from the conventions that make a movie watchable. The acting is uneven, as even the more talented cast members could only do so much with the ridiculous script and inept director. Dramatis personae inexplicably come and go with all the finesse of a drunken hippopotamus, and they cling to and then disregard their motives with similarly contrary abandon. The dialogue is wooden at best and hilariously incoherent at worst. Plot lines are introduced, run with and cast off without resolution. In short, this is the very stuff that cult followings are made to immortalize, and the audience participation that screenings both public and private invite help to reshape this train wreck into sublime chaos.
While this book heralds itself as being Sestero's life inside The Room, The Disaster Artist reads more as Sestero's attempt to make sense of both writer/producer/director/lead actor Tommy Wiseau, depicted as an independently wealthy manchild who houses more insecurities than does a comprehensive guide to mental maladies, and his self-funded, self-promoted and self-delusional labor of love. Sestero, with enough writing assistance from journalist Tom Bissell to warrant a co-authorship, explores the torturous trajectory of The Room from nascence to its opening night, as well as the strained but symbiotic friendship between Wiseau and Sestero. Sestero's own faltering forays into Hollywood are chronicled as a sort of apologetic explanation for why he stuck with a project he clearly expected to fizzle into obscurity and stuck by a man who gave him both a place to live and an opportunity for work in exchange for the mind-bogglingly creepy way that Wiseau leeched off Sestero--the more successful actor and infinitely more attractive and youthful of the two--as if Sestero's good looks and acting chops were things he could possess for himself via sheer proximity.
Much of the book is devoted to recounting Wiseau's especially memorable bouts of weirdness, jealousies and general inability to function as an adult: Goading Sestero into nearly abandoning him just to prove that he has the power to offend; producing a demo reel fashioned nearly blow-for-blow from a scene in one of Sestero's other movies; spectacularly failing to remember the very lines he wrote; subjecting the whole of The Room's creative team to his unnecessary and gratuitously filmed nudity; spending extravagantly on the film when he feels it's in the best interest of his vision but skimping on paychecks and other details he arbitrarily dismisses as minor.
To me, if not for a friend's firsthand assurance that Sestero is a genuinely likable guy who regards his accidental ascent to pseudo-fame with equal parts wry humor and gratitude, the book's tone--that of a young actor desperate to make it in L.A., whose naivete, curiosity and willingness to look beyond his vampiric guardian angel's downright hostile quirks all work together to cement an uneasy friendship that barely survives a disastrous attempt at living together--would be off-puttingly glib. Wiseau is painted as the perennial (though unintentional) sad clown who would be a tragic figure if not for his nigh unflappable hubris. But Sestero does, to his credit, try to soften his description of a man who has clearly suffered some obsessively guarded psychological setback that has seemingly forever grounded him in the defensive, combative mindset of a newly minted teenager. An example: All attempts to inject a hint of unscripted coherence in Wiseau's film are met with such disproportionate resistance and unfounded accusations that it's unsurprising the film went through several incarnations of its cast and crew; Sestero attempts to explain that, to the best of his understanding, Wiseau sees all attempts at changing his project for the better as mutinous trespasses, a threat to the tenuous authority he has purchased with his self-propelled picture. Even in the instances where Sestero seems inexplicably passive in his inability to assume control when Wiseau has lost all touch with reality, there is a strong undercurrent of desperately gleaned sympathy that keep his remembered interactions buoyantly surreal rather than needlessly cruel.
Still, the bulk of the book's humor is at Wiseau's expense, as it is impossible to read about his diva-sized antics, tantrums, paranoia and obstinate refusal to divulge personal details without cackling the nervous guffaws of tension-eroding disbelief because Wiseau's fiery outbursts are in no way proportional to their triggers. The Sunset Boulevard and Talented Mr. Ripley quotes that begin each chapter and, later, the copious nods to both films just may be the most perfect encapsulation of Wiseau within these pages. This is a man who is painted as sleepwalking through life, who literally cannot help how bizarre he is, who rewrites his own personal history as he sees beneficial.
The lingering effects of The Disaster Artist are an increased sense of respect for the hapless players at the mercy of Wiseau's deranged puppet master as well as a nagging suspicion that $6 million can't quite buy talent but it sure can stack the odds in one's favor if one is hellbent on crafting a blockbuster from incoherence and birthing a star from a woeful dearth of thespian proficiency, reality be damned.


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This course discusses how to overcome setbacks and stay on track toward personal and organisational goals. Explore how to keep setbacks in perspective and turn negative events into positive lessons. Details ways to embrace lessons learned and how to go forward from a setback with renewed confidence.
For an optimal experience please check the minimum computer system requirements.
This online course forms part of the SkillsNet short course suite.
Please note this course is only available to CPA Australia members.
Individuals wanting to develop their abilities in managing setbacks, challenges, or obstacles in their work
60 Minutes
365 Days


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Best Stepmom EVER Charm Bracelet
Let your stepmom know that she's the BEST! This charm bracelet is a great gift for mother's day, stepmother's day, birthdays, Christmas, Chanukah, or any day! Choose from round or square pendants, and if your stepmom already has a charm bracelet, you can even get just the charm by itself.


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"My Strange Addiction" continues to deliver the wild and unexpected. This week, viewers were introduced to Asha, who has a potentially dangerously unhealthy addiction to growing her hair. She hadn't cut it in 25 years, and it had grown to 21 feet long. Asha used a staggering 24 bottles of shampoo a month keeping her hair clean, and it weighed in at 25 pounds when wet.
She'd become so attached to her hair that she even nicknamed it.
"It's my baby, my sweetheart, my crown. It makes me feel unique. one of a kind -- a living legend. I am the Black Rapunzel," Asha said. "I talk to him a lot, I stroke him a lot, and yeah, I do kiss him a lot, too. It's Mr. Cobra."
Doctors had warned Asha that carrying around that much weight on her head, neck and shoulders could lead to nerve damage, but she has no plans to cut her hair.
See more of the unusual on "My Strange Addiction," Wednesdays at 10 p.m. EST on TLC.
TV Replay scours the vast television landscape to find the most interesting, amusing, and, on a good day, amazing moments, and delivers them right to your browser.


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Lets Get Started
We are renowned manufacturer and supplier of an exclusive range of High Alumina Fire Bricks in Bahadurgarh, Haryana, India. The offered fire bricks are manufactured by using top quality raw materials and modern machines. We provide All kind of fire bricks for furnaces and boilers. Available in lowest market price.
Last updated on : 13 June 2018


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Obtaining homeowners insurance is vital for people who own houses. In the event that something goes wrong, most people do not have the cash funds available to address the problem. Homeowners insurance helps them to cover the costs. However, in order for the plan to truly benefit homeowners, they need to have the ability to afford it. You can follow some tips for procuring the best homeowners insurance in Texas without spending an extravagant amount of money each month.
Consider What You Need
Browsing around https://www.texasquotes.com/homeowners-insurance/ is the first step so that you can familiarize yourself with the plans that are available. Instead of choosing a plan that contains superfluous coverage, you can select one that is tailored exactly to your needs. When you are searching, be sure to keep the minimum requirements in mind and to retain a true idea of what insurance you need. Failure to purchase the right insurance might save you money now, but it could cost you later.
Use Your Current Rate
Another way to obtain a great price for the best homeowners insurance in Texasis to use your current price as a starting point. For example, when you call to speak with representatives, let them know what you are currently paying. Explain that this cost is too high and that you need a lower price in order to sign up for the plan. Keep in mind that you may be asked to provide proof of the price that you are currently paying.
Paid-in-full Discounts
Many people choose to pay their homeowners insurance on a monthly basis. The fee is broken down throughout the year; individuals make payments along with their mortgages and taxes. If you are looking for a better price on the best homeowners insurance in Texas, ask the company if a paid-in-full discount is available. If you offer to pay the full sum of the insurance plan for the year now, then you may find that the total cost is lower than if you paid it throughout the year.
Shop Around
In order to have any sort of negotiating power, you need to shop around for the best homeowners insurance in Texas. Checking out different prices gives you a sense of whether your desired company is offering a fair deal or if the price is way too high. Once you have found the lowest price for the same coverage, you can use that as a way to negotiate a lower cost with your desired insurance company.
Remain Respectful
For some people, haggling involves using a condescending and irritated tone. Keep in mind that the insurance company needs to make money; the business cannot just give away homeowners insurance plans. Therefore, negotiating may involve you surrendering some of what you want as well. That pressure does not fall entirely on the company. When you want to obtain a lower price, remember that the person on the other end of the phone has a goal too.
At some point, you may have to decide that the time has come for the negotiations and research to end. Take a look at what the insurance company is offering you. When you see how much money it could save you in the event of a real disaster or accident, you will also likely see how worth it is to spend a little bit more money on a monthly basis.


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Every year during bulan puasa we read in the papers, or watch on tv, or listen to the radio, about kids blinded or fingers cut off or burned some parts of their bodies all because of mercun (fireworks). Without fail!
And yet, they still never learn!
This is the latest example, posted in Kosmo! Online today.
Seriously, what is it about fireworks that make rational people go dumb? Is it the noise? The colours? The fire? It must be the thrill. I see it every time I go balik kampung when my nephews and nieces play with mercun. Not to mention the adults especially when the really big fireworks were brought out.
Okay, so I joined in when the big ones were launched. Nice colours… 😛
But honestly, if you got injured playing with fireworks, all I want to say to you is… "Padan muka!"
And kids, please… safety first.


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Benedictine Health System achieves interoperability
Benedictine Health System has announced it has implemented electronic care transitions between its electronic health record vendor, MDI Achieve/Matrix Care, and Epic, the electronic health record of its hospital partner, Alinea Health.
The interoperability project was funded by an e-Health Connectivity Grant from the Minnesota Department of Health, and focused on data exchanges on continuity of care between the two health organizations.
MDI Achieve/Matrix Care used structured and typed data consumed as discreet data elements, and data can be generated on demand, the company said.


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Speed Test Shows: iOS 9.3.2 Great News for Older Devices
The latest beta version of iOS 9.3.2 shows great promise for older iPhones in terms of performance. While iOS 9.3 has already been an improvement in terms of fluidity on more recent devices, the upcoming update should provide users of older devices with a better experience. The beta comes a few weeks after Apple had released iOS 9.3.1 to fix a few crucial security loopholes and bugs. Performance issues after updating iOS have long been a cause for concern with older iPhones, iPads and iPod touch devices.
The testers at iAppleBytes have tried the newest beta of iOS 9.3.2 on the iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPhone 5s and iPhone 6 and compared it to the currently latest final version of iOS 9.3.1 in terms of performance. The test clearly shows that several native apps such as the Safari browser, the App Store and Apple Music open more quickly with the beta. They are also more responsive right after opening, as opposed to the slight delay on the previous version. Booting up your iPhone is also quicker on the beta. Even devices such as the iPhone 6 seem to benefit from the optimizations.
It would be unwise to expect a huge difference, after all iOS is already fairly optimized for all of the devices. With growing complexity, the mobile operating system tends to run slower on older iPhones. Nonetheless, iOS 9.3.2 appears to provide noticeable benefits.
The following videos show the iOS 9.3.2 vs iOS 9.3.1 speed comparison for the iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPhone 5s and iPhone 6.
It is to be expected that Apple will slowly but surely phase out OS support for the iPhone 4S and the iPad 2, this might take place with the release of iOS 10 in the near future. These devices could then be running iOS 9.3.2 as their last version, which would be sensible concerning the performance optimization taking place right now. We'll see whether Apple decides to keep supporting the A5 devices, for now information on further plans with the older devices remain speculative.


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#1 Patricia Arquette Says Dumbest Thing Yet On Gun Control And Vegas Shooting10-08-2017, 06:31 PMWith the Las Vegas shooting, liberals have once again found their voice on attacking the fundamental American right to keep and bear arms. Of course that voice is a liberal one so it hasnt been used to say anything intelligent or relevant, but then again how can you sound smart when you are going after peoples basic freedoms? Actress/activist Patricia Arquette is apparently entered in a contest with other lefties to see who can say the single dumbest thing about the shooting and so far she is in the lead.
In response to madman Stephen Paddock killing 58 and wounding 515 people at a country music festival in Vegas over the weekend, Arquette had this witty response:
Patricia ArquetteVerified account
You may have the right to have a gun but you don't have the right to shoot it at people because you are simply angry.
10:31 AM - 4 Oct 2017
Wait, what? We dont have a right to shoot at people because we are angry? I never even heard of this before. I feel like somebody should pass a law to make it illegal to shoot at people out of anger. Especially if this is not a protected right as Arquette claims.
Ill have to defer to the Constitutional scholar Arquette on this one, but I wonder if we have a right to shoot at people if we are happy. How about if we feel melancholy? Maybe we have a right to shoot at people if we are feeling indifferent because thats really the only way to avoid accusations of emotional bias
Yeah, murder has been illegal ever since this dude named Cain invented it. Not that that has anything to do with the 2nd Amendment.Facts don't matter to DUpipo.
BIG CHEETO Is Watching You!
Note to "Warpy" and "shockey80": I voted for Donald Trump! I would do so again!
Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil;
Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness;
Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!
21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes
And clever in their own sight! Isaiah 5:20-21 NASB
These are the people who would be crying the loudest for protection if we were invaded, sometimes I think dementia is setting in on some of these older people and they just don't realize it.
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Swimming – Worlds' Youngest Athlete to Ever Swim across Lake Ontario (52 km)
My name is Annaleise Rebekah Carr (A.R.C.) and I am a Grade 8 student at Walsh Public School, Walsh, Ontario, just outside Simcoe, Ontario. I am a proud member of the Norfolk Hammerhead Aquatic Club in Simcoe, and of the North Shore Runners/Swimmers in Port Dover, Ontario. I turn 14 years old on March 12 and I plan to become the youngest person to swim across Lake Ontario when I do it this summer! My goal is to do this in order to raise money and awareness for Camp Trillium.
Camp Trillium became close to my heart when I visited last summer as part of the North Shore Swimmers. As a group, ten of us (9 adults and I) completed a 10 km open water swim from Pottahawk Point (located off Long Point in Norfolk County) to Turkey Point, followed by a 10 km run from Turkey Point to the Long Point Eco-Adventure Park. We raised around $15,000 for Camp Trillium, but the visit to the Rainbow Lake facility will forever be etched in my memory. It is an awesome place for awesome people. You see, the camp exists for children with cancer and their families–a sort of haven away from what they are going through–and I don't like to see kids hurt. I even said to my mom that I'd like to volunteer there as a lifeguard when I get old enough. The people who visit, work, and run this place are incredible! They are loving and I love them for it!
I've swam for a long time; competitively since I was 4 years olds as a matter of fact. I've swam at long and short course provincials, as well as open water provincials. I've competed at provincial lifeguard games as a member of the Town of Tillsonburg Lifesaving Club and in triathlons (which I love). I'm just not that tall! Yea, that's me in the middle in the picture holding the Canadian flag (another passion of mine). Distance swimming has always been my passion in swimming, however it's only been the last three or four years that the lake has become my playground. Open Water competition is way quieter than the decks at pool competitions!
I will be swimming across Lake Ontario following the traditional Marilyn Bell route from Niagara-on-the-Lake to Marilyn Bell Park near the CNE in Toronto (considered one of the most difficult open water swims in the world). I've been blessed to be able to swim a long way and I want to use that gift to help the kids and their families at Camp Trillium. The fact that the crossing will be a world record will only bring more awareness to the plight of Camp Trillium.
I have such a wonderful support group, starting with my family, but it continues through the people at NHAC, North Shore, the Town of Tillsonburg lifeguards, my church family at Grace Family Bible Fellowship, and so many many more. I'll try and keep everyone up-to-date on my training as well as the sponsorship and fund raising end of things. Already my coach, Lisa Anderson, has me swimming about 11 to 12 hours a week and doing 3 hours of dry land. I guess it's a start. I love it!!! More swimming!!!
If you would like to help sponsor my swim, or if you would like to donate to Camp Trillium, the board of the Norfolk Hammerheads are helping me by collecting the money in their name. All you need to do is make cheques out to the Norfolk Hammerheads and designate them to "Annaleise's Crossing" and mailing them to the swim team. Also, an automatic donation will be set up on the NHAC website. Another way to donate is to go directly to the Camp Trillium web site and and click on "Donate Now", adding "Annaleise's Crossing" to the notes section so it can be tracked. You will become part of an incredible world record and also be helping children and their families who are in constant pain and agony from the effects of childhood cancer through this wonderful local charity! What satisfaction that would bring to anyone!


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I couldn't agree more! 🙂
"So, this year, I'm resolving to forgo my standard list of new year resolutions to simply concentrate, day by day, on living in a way worthy of the immeasurable love and forgiveness that the Savior so freely bestows on me."
"You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. – Ephesians 4:22-24
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Runescape Anniversary Quest
The mini-quest will endure for two weeks until April 13 with no requirements to enter. Just allege to the Easter Bunny, west of Port Sarim.
Story comes like this. The Bunny is aback from his journeys, but something has gone awfully amiss whild he has been away. Imps accept infested the bunny's amber factory, and they are abnegation to leave until their baton gets what he wants: the jadinko pet of his dreams.
Then you can use your combat, hunting or crooked abilities with a atom of arguable beginning science. You will restore the branch to alive order. Well the band-aid to this botheration will alter amid players.
Once you complete the quest, you will access some arise rewards. Like huge XP lamp, Jadinko pet, Emote, Jadinko Slippers anxiety override, Egg-on-a-fork weapon override and Cooking action override. In addition, you will get two added requests from the baton of the imps with a average lemp award.
Besides, Guthixian Collywobbles are aback for approved and Ironman accounts alike, aerial throughout Gielinor. Similar to The Easter quest, this will endure two weeks. RS members, approved and Ironman akin will accretion affable amounts of XP in their lowest-levelled abilities by communicable up to 20 collywobbles per day.
Apart from the reward, communicable collywobbles can restore your run activity or prayer, activity or summoning points. Also can accord slight bonuses to your prayer, activity or summoning point totals.
In these two weeks, you can allotment this Runescape anniversary atmosphere with your accompany online and adore your Runescape 07 Accounts adventure. Just accept fun. Added information: www.rsgoldaz.com


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John Lewis stores kick off for Connor
John Lewis at home's Tunbridge Wells store is taking on their rivals at Ashford in a football match to raise funds for local charity Chasing Connor's Cure.
Five-year-old Connor, from Hildenborough, was recently diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy – a fatal disease that attacks the lungs and heart.
There is currently no cure, but all funds raised will help towards continued research.
Chasing Connor's Cure has been chosen as John Lewis at home Tunbridge Wells' charity of the year.
The match will be held at Maidstone United's Gallagher Stadium on Friday October 7 from 7pm. Entrance is £5 for adults (children free) and includes a free raffle ticket. There will be a bar and a pie 'n' mash van.
Jayson Pring, Section Manager at John Lewis at home Tunbridge Wells, said: "Football matches are great social occasions and I am hoping that many families will cheer us on so we can raise much needed funds for Chasing Connor's Cure."
Please contact: email@example.com for more information.


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Lenawee County teachers continue to be asked to do more with less. The Lenawee County Education Foundation in partnership with United Bank and Trust have established the Teacher Mini-Grant program providing teachers like Audrey Mansfield from Lincoln Elementary in Hudson, Michigan with funding to support their creative ideas to enhance student achievement.
Through the support of the Lenawee County Education Foundation and United Bank and Trust's teacher mini-grant program, Lenawee County educators are able to enrich their student's learning experience through innovative programs and instructional techniques.
Nintendo DS Lite System Enhances Student Learning
Ms. Mansfield
Third Grade Teacher
Lincoln Elementary, Hudson Area Schools
In 2009, the LCEF awarded Audrey Mansfield a third grade teacher from Hudson Area Schools' Lincoln Elementary a $500 grant for the purposes of purchasing Nintendo DS Lite systems for use within her classroom.
The Nintendo DS Lite is a handheld gaming device that features WI-FI (wireless) capabilities, allowing users to communicate with one another and compete against one another in activities on the system.
Through the support of the LCEF, Mrs. Mansfield was able to purchase 3 Nintendo DS Lite systems and 3 programs, Big Brain Academy, Personal Math Trainer and Brain Age 1 and 2.
Through the use of the Nintendo DS Lite systems, students are able to practice and enhance their skills in mixed operation calculations, problem analysis, memorization and so much more. Students have shown a significant interest in learning through this technology and students are even more eager to take timed multiplication tests due to the confidence that they have gained in their knowledge and skills from their use of the Nintendo DS Lite. Not only are students more interested in taking the tests, Mrs. Mansfield reports that their scores have improved since integration of these tools.
As a result of the success of this project, Mrs. Mansfield's students have demonstrated their use of the Nintendo DS Lite system to the Hudson Area Schools Board of Education and Mrs. Mansfield's colleagues are seeking funding for similar devices for their classrooms.
"Today's students are less motivated to learn their math facts in traditional ways. By putting a Nintendo DS Lite system in their hands, students have taken a new interest in learning and improving their math facts and skills."
Audrey Mansfield
Third Grade Teacher
Lincoln Elementary, Hudson Area Schools
Student GrowLab
Ms. Maska
Preschool Teacher
Britton-Macon Community School
Through an LCEF teacher mini-grant awarded in 2009, Britton-Macon Community Schools pre-school teacher Denise Maska was able to acquire equipment and supplies necessary to start a small grow lab within her classroom. Through the grow lab project, 87 Britton-Macon students grew a variety of different items from herbs and vegetables to flowers.
The grow lab became an integral part of the preschool curriculum is Ms. Maska's class. The students would study and monitor the evolution of the various plants and other species (including worms!) that came to life in the soil of their laboratory. Students would be given specific tasks including watering the garden, checking for worms, monitoring the health of the plants and measuring their growth. Students would then be responsible for documenting and reporting on the progress of the garden.
The students have become so engaged and enthralled with the grow lab that they are creating their own gardens at home with the assistance of their parents and other family members. These gardens become a great source of pride for the students, while also providing for delicious and nutritious, home-grown vegetables.
"The grow law project has been a positive growing experience for a lot of children who would never have had the opportunity to learn about these things."
Denise Maska
Preschool Teacher
Britton-Macon Community School